CC survives late night in Arkansas

The Hooks' hold on the Arkansas Travelers remains intact, but not without working some overtime on Wednesday night.

Corpus Christi edged Arkansas 7-6 in 10 innings at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, Ark., to end a two-game losing streak.

With the victory, the Hooks (23-21 second half, 54-60) improved to 7-0 against Arkansas this year and stayed within two games of first-place San Antonio in the Texas League's South Division.

With two outs in the top of the 10th, Todd Self singled and stole second base. Ray Sadler then dropped a single into short right field to plate Self with the go-ahead run.

Closer Kyle Middleton pitched the bottom of the 10th for his 18th save, getting Freddy Sandoval to hit into a game-ending double play.

The Hooks took a 6-4 lead into the eighth, but Arkansas put runners on first and third against lefty reliever Josh Muecke, who was pulled for righty Sammy Gervacio. One out later, Sandoval doubled to right to tie the score.

The Hooks found themselves trailing 4-0 entering the third, but rallied to tie the score.

After Travelers third baseman Ryan Leahy flubbed a potential double-play grounder with one out and the bases loaded, J.R. Towles made it a costly error. Towles crushed a Nick Green pitch over the center-field wall for a grand slam and 4-4 tie. The blast gave Towles 38 runs batted in over his past 32 games.

Corpus Christi then went ahead in the fifth, as Drew Sutton's sacrifice fly plated Tommy Manzella, who led off the inning with a triple. The Hooks then made it 6-4 in the sixth on Sadler's solo homer.

Hooks starter Jimmy Barthmaier entered the game winless in his past 10 starts and had another forgettable outing, getting shelled for 10 hits in four innings. Arkansas scored four times in the second, with the first six Travelers hitters reaching base.

Before the game, the Hooks' roster vacancy was filled with the signing of free-agent first baseman Michael Johnson. He had been in the San Diego system, mostly with AA San Antonio, where in 64 games, he hit .250 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI.